Closure for open headed drums



Oct. 5,1954 R. L. KAYE 2,690,354

CLOSURE FOR OPEN HEADED DRUMS Filed March 6, 1950.

Hal

Z4 2 2 23% 22 I m INVENTOR BY f f ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE FOR OPEN HEADED DRUMS Robert Lee Kaye, Newark, N. J.

Application March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,838 2 Claims. (01. 220 4s) The present invention concerns closures for open head drums.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure for open head drums which is easily applied and readily removed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure for open headed drums which expands after the drum is sealed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a pneumatic closure for open headed drums.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure for open headed drums which will allow for drums which are off-size or out of round. When drums are to be cleaned they require a closure which may be placed in position quickly and as quickly removed. However, such drums are frequently bent out of round and a given lot will come from a number of manufacturers whose dies differ somewhat. As a result an effective closure must allow for variation from standard.

It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible, expansible gasket for drums which can be filled with a substance which changes its viscosity.

In the drawings like numbers refer to like parts throughout.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary section of an open headed drum with one form of closure according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section of another form of closure according to the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing a locking means on looking ring.

The normal open head metal drum of commerce is shown at It) and provided with a stiffening beading H. In heavy drums beading H in pairs forms a rolling rim. In the usual open head drum, however, particularly where liquids are being shipped may not be rolled on beads H as leakage at the closure results. The upper end of drum I is open flanged and rolled to form a curled edge as at I2 which projects outwardly from the body of the drum H]. A metal closure [3 with beading I4 is provided with curved flange portions l5 extending toward drum H), but allowing ample clearance to permit the passage of curled edge l2. Curved flange portion l5 forms an annular channel within which is disposed an inflatable gasket it of rubber, neoprene or similar substance. Gasket I6 is provided with the normal stem valve I! which may be provided with known rapid deflation means. Valve II extends through curved flange l5 along the body of drum l0 away from closure [3. As shown on the left side gasket [6 rubs against curled edge I2 when uninflated and swells out to form a double seal when inflated as at 18. One seal is against the under side of curled edge l2 and the second seal is against the body of the drum ID.

The above form of the invention finds its principal application in drum reconditioning machines where a very rapid application of and removal of the head I3 is desired together with a fluid tight seal. It is particularly valuable where drums are out of round or come from different manufacturers and differ slightly from standard. This form may be used in drums to be shipped where it is desired to eliminate the extra clamping ring.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 is especially adapted for drums to be shipped where a tight seal is paramount. Here the normal closure I9 is used with a short curved flange 20. Curved inflatable gasket 2| fits between flange 2c and curled edge l2 with loose fitting transversely curved ring 22 extending around both flange 20 and gasket 25. A transverse section of ring 22 shows that it extends slightly beyond a semi-circle in its preferred form, though a semi-circle cross-section may be used. A valve l! is provided as above. Ring 22 is provided with a mating hole 23 and lug 24 which may be interlocked by hand or unlocked and removed when gasket 2| is deflated. Inflation of gasket 2| forms a complete seal and locks ring 22 and closure 19 tightly in place without special equipment. The drum can likewise be opened without any equipment and without harming the closure or the drum in any way. Gasket 2| forms a semi-circular seal which is fluid tight, but which can be quickly established or broken. This type of seal will, in most cases, permit the use of beads II for rolling loaded drums unless they are of light gauge.

For most applications air will be introduced through valve l1. However where a more positive seal is required for heavy loads fluids such as water, hydrocarbon solution or mixtures, latex, solutions of polymers and the like may be employed. Where water is used anti-freeze solution should be incorporated.

The hydrocarbon mixtures or solutions not only expand or inflate the gasket initially, but have a delayed secondary expansion effect which increases the tightness of the seal where the rubber or other gasket material swells on absorbing or reacting to the hydrocarbon.

Where latex or polymer solutions are used the 3 gasket is initially expanded and then the interior may be caused to harden so that the gasket becomes solid in its expanded state. This action in itself may in some cases expand the gasket farther.

When such a gasket becomes solid, which can occur in a few hours, it will lock the cover in place and withstand very hard usage without leakage. Where accelerators are used solidification can take place in a shorter time. The drum is opened by prying lug 24 out of hole 23 with a screw driver. When, however, gas or a nonsolidifying liquid is used to expand the gasket it is only necessary to open valve 17. This arrangement may be used repeatedly and the drum may be opened without tools of any kind.

I claim:

1. In combination, an open head drum having a rolled annular projecting edge member, a closure for said drum having a curved annular flange member fitting said edge member, an expandible annular gasket between said edge memher and said flange member, said gasket member surrounding said edge member, a loose fitting annular locking ring extending around said flange member and said edge member, said gasket member entirely separating said edge member from said flange member and said locking ring and forming a resilient, firm liquid tight seal and to exert force on said ring to maintain it in locked position.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, said gasket being pneumatic and having valve means for inflation and deflation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 213,688 Prindle Mar. 25, 1879 658,588 Reynolds et al. Sept. 25, 1900 794,987 Kneuper July 18, 1905 2,087,733 Lockhart July 20, 1937 2,108,944 Rheem Feb. 22, 1938 2,201,322 Schwartz May 21, 1940 2,306,160 Treyssinet Dec. 22, 1942 2,360,276 Redmond Oct. 10, 1944 2,371,586 Schwartz Mar. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 551,202 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1943 

